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More and more Americans are feeling financially behind in 2026. More than eight in 10 have reported having at least one financial regret from 2025, according to a recent survey from Omni Calculator. 28% said making rushed decisions without enough planning were the leading cause of financial mistakes.
As this pressure continues to rise, many Americans are acting emotionally rather than strategically. They’re feeling a sense of urgency to financially ‘catch up’ as quickly as possible. In an effort to catch up, Northwestern Mutual’s 2026 Planning & Progress study found more Americans, especially young adults, are considering or already investing in high-risk assets such as prediction markets, sports betting, and cryptocurrencies. In fact, 73% of those drawn to these investments said it’s because they feel financially behind and believe those investments will offer a faster path to their goals.
After several years of strong market performance, particularly due to gains in growth and technology stocks, many investors are becoming more comfortable taking on risk, even when it may not align with their long-term financial goals or risk tolerance.
However, others are responding differently, delaying financial decisions entirely because they feel overwhelmed by uncertainty. Exposure to constant negative headlines, market commentary, and economic concerns can create hesitation. As a result, important decisions can be delayed, stunting long-term financial progress.
Delay Can Derail Intentions
Years ago, I worked with a client who understood the importance of having an estate plan. The client knew they needed a trust, will, and power of attorney documents drafted, but delayed the process of getting them in place for years.
